Ex-Plymouth Raiders Head Coach Gavin Love has landed a great opportunity in Luxembourg for the coming season having been appointed Head Coach at AB Contern. Love who coached The Raiders for three seasons in The BBL after nine years as a player is looking forward to the challenge.

'Last year I was coaching in Munich as Head Coach of the new DBA academy. It was a new project that I was helping to get off the ground and I was over there a number of times to recruit and run the camps.'

'It was a great place and the people were good to me but unfortunately the project had been delayed so I had to look for opportunities elsewhere. My agent contacted me and I spoke with the GM of Contern who was very professional and we had the deal completed quickly.'

Contern's Vice President, Francis Rollinger talked about what Love can bring to his Club and what they are hoping to achieve.

'We called Gavin Love to come to Luxembourg to follow our goals and to built a young strong team for the future, furthermore Gavin is responsible for the Espoir (U21) and Cadets (U18) teams to bring up as much players as possible into the men team and to make our players better every day.'

'AB Contern is one of the biggest basketball and sports club in Luxembourg, the men team won 4 championships and 3 cups, and the team is playing since 20 years in the first division, the Total League.'

'AB Contern is known for good youth players, and we looking forward to rebuilt another good team for the future. Our goals are to include young players from the club helping the men team to be again one of the best clubs in Luxembourg.'

'Contern is a small village with 1500 habitants, 450 of which who are involved in the club, coming from 15 different communes and 40 villages. Contern has the nicest gym in the country, is a very popular and traditional club, who is investing in the men and women team as well, followed by a big youth department.'

Clearly Love is going in to a situation where a lot is expected of him and the goals are high. But that will not faze a coach who's willing to take risks and has already had a successful and experience coaching in Europe with Denmark's Copenhagen Wolfpack.

' knew some players that had played in the Total League before and had good things to say about the level of the league, Contern and the country itself.'

'I will be arriving in Luxembourg early August for a six week pre-season, I have seen the facilities and they are very impressive, I believe Contern have the biggest arena in the league which holds around 2500 spectators. Contern has great support from the local community and sponsors together with having an outstanding reputation.'

Love himself has a pretty good reputation and is highly thought of as a coach. His previous GM at Copenhagen Tommy Nielsen had this to say about him.

'Gavin Love is a Players Coach, his mindset is set on winning by every means and that sets a impacts on players being poised for every game. His playing style is offensive minded and very spectator friendly.'

'He is well in communicating and appearance and goes well with sponsors and media. He fits an organization who is settle to win Championships . His flair for recruitment, quality network and roster arrangement can be used with success.'

Nice words and a good assessment of what Love hopes to bring to AB Contern and he advises that recruitment has already begun.

'A majority of the team has returned from last year which will give us a good level of continuity. We have signed Dylan Talley (196-G-89, college: Nebraska, agency: Octagon Europe) who has played in both the German BBL and Pro A. Dylan is a versatile guard who will to be a good addition to the team.'

'We also have a number of young players in the squad who will be looking to take that step to the next level. We are looking for a forward who will be the final import player to complete the roster.'

One of the obvious things that Love will do is look at the differences between The Total league and The BBL back in the UK although it's not something that he's in a position to judge just yet.

'I wouldn't be able to make any comparison to any league until the season begins. The first obvious thing that stands out is there are less import players and Bosmans than the BBL. The second is the genuine passion for developing the young talent which can only be a good thing for Luxembourg basketball.'

'My goals for the season is to enhance the team in all areas whilst maximising the potential of every player on the roster together with reaching the top six and the play-offs.'

It's going to be an interesting year for AB Contern and Gavin Love but one which should be an exciting one and an educational one for both parties. Certainly for Love it's another step forward and addition to an ever growing career CV.

Cheshire Phoenix (BBL) tabbed 25-year old Maltese international forward Tevin Falzon (203-102kg-92, college: Sacred Heart). He played most recently at Zornotza in Spanish LEB Silver. In 21 games he averaged 5.0ppg and 3.6rpg last season. Falzon helped them to make it to the final. Among other achievements he received Eurobasket.com All-European Championship for Small Countries 1st Team award in 2016. Falzon has been also a member of Maltese international program for some years. He has reg... [read more]

Cheshire Phoenix (BBL) tabbed 25-year old Maltese international forward Tevin Falzon (203-102kg-92, college: Sacred Heart). He played most recently at Zornotza in Spanish LEB Silver. In 21 games he averaged 5.0ppg and 3.6rpg last season. Falzon helped them to make it to the final.Among other achievements he received Eurobasket.com All-European Championship for Small Countries 1st Team award in 2016.Falzon has been also a member of Maltese international program for some years. He has regularly played for Maltese senior team since 2014 and previously for U18 National Team back in 2009.Falzon represented Malta at the European Championship for Small Countries in Moldova last year. His stats at that event were 5 games: 14.8ppg, Reb-1 (15.0rpg), 2.8apg, 1.6spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 17.4%, FT: 47.1%.Falzon graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2016 and it will be his second season in pro basketball.

Leyma Basquet Coruna (LEB Gold) agreed terms with 24-year old British forward Jesse Chuku (203-102kg-93, college: Lehigh). He played last season at Kolossos H Hotels in Greek A1 league. In 26 games he had 5.5ppg and 2.6rpg. Chuku played in the final of Patriot League Tournament in 2016. He represented United Kingdom at the European Championships U20 Division B in Sofia (Bulgaria) five years ago. His stats at that event were 6 games: 6.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.3spg, Blocks-4(2.0bpg), FGP: 47.2%, FT... [read more]

Leyma Basquet Coruna (LEB Gold) agreed terms with 24-year old British forward Jesse Chuku (203-102kg-93, college: Lehigh). He played last season at Kolossos H Hotels in Greek A1 league. In 26 games he had 5.5ppg and 2.6rpg. Chuku played in the final of Patriot League Tournament in 2016.He represented United Kingdom at the European Championships U20 Division B in Sofia (Bulgaria) five years ago. His stats at that event were 6 games: 6.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.3spg, Blocks-4 (2.0bpg), FGP: 47.2%, FT: 38.5%.Chuku graduated from Lehigh University in 2016 and it will be his second season as a professional player.He could be described:
Possesses supreme length and athleticism that makes him a game-changing presence on both ends of the floor as an elite low-block finisher and natural shot-blocker.
He is a dominant shot blocker, and strong rebounder. He runs the floor like a gazelle. His offensive game looks limited, but he did show range out to the 3 point line, which was surprising. He can finish on the block.

Surrey Scorchers (BBL) signed 25-year old Greek point guard Caylin Raftopoulos (173-92). It is actually his comeback to Scorchers as he has played here before. Raftopoulos will still stay in United Kingdom where he played last season at Solent Kestrels Southampton in the NBL D1. In 12 games he had 6.9ppg, 1.6rpg and 3.0apg. Raftopoulos helped them to make it to the cup final and to the league semifinals. The previous (15-16) season he was tested by Worcester Wolves. Raftopoulos won Britis... [read more]

Surrey Scorchers (BBL) signed 25-year old Greek point guard Caylin Raftopoulos (173-92). It is actually his comeback to Scorchers as he has played here before. Raftopoulos will still stay in United Kingdom where he played last season at Solent Kestrels Southampton in the NBL D1. In 12 games he had 6.9ppg, 1.6rpg and 3.0apg. Raftopoulos helped them to make it to the cup final and to the league semifinals. The previous (15-16) season he was tested by Worcester Wolves. Raftopoulos won British BBL championship title in 2014.

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